Driving to Europe at Christmas: fuel, tolls and winter tyre rules
Heading to the Alps or across Europe over the holidays? Where to fill up, which tolls and vignettes you need, and which winter tyre and chain rules apply.
Christmas week is the busiest and most expensive time on Europe's roads. A little planning saves money on fuel, avoids fines and keeps the trip smooth.
Fuel: where to fill up
- Fill up before you leave the UK only if you are near a cheap supermarket; prices on the continent vary widely – Luxembourg, Poland and Spain are often cheaper than France, Germany or Switzerland.
- Avoid motorway service stations. They commonly charge noticeably more per litre than stations a few kilometres off the route.
- Compare before you cross a border. See the fuel prices across Europe and plan your fill-ups at the cheapest stops.
- Mind the units: prices abroad are per litre in euros, not per gallon or in pence.
Tolls and vignettes
- France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia – pay tolls at the booths (or use a toll tag).
- Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia – an electronic or sticker vignette is needed before you enter.
- Germany – no toll for cars, but check low-emission zones in cities.
Prices and official purchase links for each country are on our tolls and vignettes guide.
Winter tyres and chains
- Germany – winter tyres required in wintry conditions (M+S or 3PMSF marking).
- Austria – 1 November to 15 April, winter tyres or chains required in wintry conditions.
- France – in many mountain areas, winter tyres or chains are mandatory 1 November to 31 March.
- Italy, Slovenia, Croatia – seasonal winter equipment rules; carry chains in the mountains.
- Switzerland – no fixed date, but you are liable if unsuitable tyres cause an incident.
Rules change; always check the motoring club of the country you are driving through (ADAC, ÖAMTC, TCS and others) before you leave.
Checklist
- UK sticker/GB plate rules and breakdown cover that includes Europe
- Warning triangle, hi-vis vest, spare bulbs where required
- Winter screenwash, ice scraper and a full tank in the mountains
- Paper copies of toll/vignette receipts
Estimate the trip cost with the cost-per-mile calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need winter tyres to drive to the Alps?
In Austria, Germany, France and Italy winter tyres or chains are required in wintry conditions or on signed mountain roads at certain times of year.
Is fuel cheaper on the continent than in the UK?
It depends on the country and the day – compare current prices before you cross each border.
Where do I buy a vignette?
Only on the official seller's website, before you enter the country.